Land Regions to take over policing of MTR stations

Stacy Shi

The Railway District of the Police Force will undergo significant changes in the coming weeks as the Land Regions take over the responsibility for policing the railway system.

Over 300 frontline railway police officers will join the Land Regions, which will be tasked with carrying out policing work at MTR stations. This includes daily patrols and responding to any incidents that occur on the railroad.

These changes are not a result of a shortage of manpower, said police. The force have clarified that there will be no reduction in the number of police officers patrolling MTR stations. In fact, members of the public can expect to see more frontline police officers in the MTR as a result of these changes.

The establishment of the Railway District dates back to 1979 when the MTR started its services with the Kwun Tong line and nine MTR stations. However, over the past 45 years, the railway network has expanded significantly, with the current system consisting of 10 lines and 98 stations, accommodating approximately 5 million passenger trips daily.

Chief Superintendent Pierre Wong Chi-wing of the police operations wing said: "The evolving global anti-terrorism situation and the expanded railway network pose challenges for the Railway District to operate effectively under a single police region. Therefore, a review of the policing arrangements is necessary."

One of the factors that triggered this review is the heavy reliance of railway police officers on the normal operation of the railroad system. Any delay or interruption in MTR services could hamper their response to incidents, rendering them unable to handle situations promptly and effectively.

To address these challenges, the police initiated a study in mid-2022. This led to the introduction of Project Impact, a pilot project launched in the Kowloon East Region in the fourth quarter of the same year.

Land units of the Kowloon East Region were deployed to conduct flexible and unscheduled patrols inside MTR stations. Also, the Railway Response Team collaborated with the Counter Terrorism Response Unit and conducted 30 percent more anti-terrorism patrols.

"The results of the project indicated that collaboration between the Railway District and Land Regions can strengthen the anti-terrorism capability, thereby providing greater protection for the public and the railway system," said Stephen Yu Wai-kit, District Commander of Railway District.

In order to improve the effectiveness and coordination in handling major incidents or large-scale events in the long run, as well as to enhance work efficiency, the Land Regions will begin a one-month trial operation for their day-to-day policing duties starting in the middle of this month.